U.S. Military Fires Missile at Blockade Runner Amidst Iran Tensions
The U.S. military has taken decisive action by firing a Hellfire missile into the engine room of the Gambia-flagged vessel, Lian Star, which was attempting to breach the U.S. blockade of Iran. According to U.S. Central Command, the incident occurred as the ship was transiting international waters toward an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman. Prior to the missile strike, U.S. forces issued over 20 warnings to the vessel, indicating its violation of the blockade. The military action is part of ongoing efforts to enforce the blockade, which began on April 13. Since then, the U.S. military has redirected at least 115 ships. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has stated that the U.S. is prepared to resume strikes on Iran if diplomatic efforts to end the conflict fail. The blockade and subsequent military actions have contributed to rising global energy prices, as Iran has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz. 
